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Looking for a fun-filled family outing in October? Consider the largest Persian Harvest Festival of Autumn known as Mehregan. On October 11 and 12, 2008, Orange County, California will witness once again the celebration of Mehr and kindness, Iranian style. Thanks to the tireless efforts of many volunteers, the O.C. Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA will be turned into a historical site in commemoration of many great Persian Kings and Poets, and in celebration of a great Persian tradition. Called Mehregan (pronounced ‘meh-re-gahn’), this will be the 13th annual event. Trust me; this is not a small task. For an event of such great magnitude, hands must be joined, thoughts must be put together, and ideas must be expressed and, eventually, diligently implemented. If you attended last year, you know what I mean; if not, I hope to see you there this year.
So what to expect when you go there? Celebration of Persian culture with music, dance, artwork, crafts, traditional Persian cuisine, traditional tea house, and costumes. The festival represents Iranian-Americans' interest in our heritage and commitment to share that heritage with the community. Mehregan Festival bridges lives; those born in Iran and their American-born children share the event with each other and with visitors. At one end of the Fairgrounds, older Iranians relax on a spread of lush rugs listening to traditional music from their homeland. Across the expanse, teenagers amble toward the heavy beat of Persian pop pounding from a deejay's speakers. Between the generations is a sea of tents teeming with the Iranian culture that unites them all. Mehregan Festival allows us to re-connect with tastes, sounds, and sights of the land we left behind.
Iranian-Americans born in each of the provinces welcome visitors into an arc of tents featuring the textiles, tastes, and spices of each region. The smell of cumin fills the air in the Kerman province tent, while women in colorful, elaborate dresses play music from the northwestern province of Kurdistan in another. Costumes and posters showing historical places of each province are at display.
Entertainment is a key feature of Mehregan. Three stages are setup for various modern and traditional Persian music featuring the hottest stars. On the Main stage popular Persian singers will entertain the crowd while on the Center Stage Folkloric dancers and performers (Raghs-e Mahali) will perform. One area which is always the crowd’s favorite is the Tea House (Chai Khane). This area, which is decorated by several tables covered with Persian rugs, reminds people of the old tea houses in Iran. Activities include live performances, dancing, poetry reciting, and, of course, Persian music performed by well-known traditional artists. There are also major dance groups performing traditional and modern Persian dance routines. Kids under the age of 10 are admitted free of charge and there are many activities planned to keep them busy in a safe and fun environment.In addition, this year Mehregan Festival is conducting a drawing and an essay contest in Orange County. “PEACE” is the theme for grades 6-12 Essay Contest. All entries will be displayed onsite. There is an art exhibit featuring Iranian artists displaying professional works of the Persian culture.
Ever wonder what it takes to put a Mehregan Festival together? It is teamwork and if you thought Iranians cannot work together, think again. Twelve annual Mehregans are proof of our ability to work together and create something awesome. The work actually begins 6-9 months before the event dates. A team of 12 to 18 people get together at NIPOC (Network of Iranian Professionals of Orange County) office in Irvine. This team, called Mehregan Organizing Committee, made up of members with different backgrounds (doctors, engineers, teachers, nurses, architects, artists, students, businessmen, etc.). They work in an atmosphere of creativity and energetic brainstorming. The responsibilities are divided among the sub-committees with each having a coordinator to provide weekly progress reports. It is common to see members of the sub-committees from different age groups, religious backgrounds, different political parties, and natives of different provinces. What they all have in common is the love for Mehregan and preservation of this ancient Persian heritage. As we get closer to the event date, the number of participants increases such that at the event date anywhere between 250 to 300 volunteers get involved, each with a specific assignment.
How much does it cost? Mehregan is a $450,000 operation (based on 2007 financials) and the costs keep rising like everything else. This is excluding the cost of labor for all volunteers since none is paid a penny for their services. So where does the money come from? Despite what some think, admission and ticket sales accounts for only 52% of funds collected. The remaining 48% comes from sponsorship, bazaar booths, food booths, drinks and tea house. As you can see, Mehregan Festival is a subsidized event by major sponsors, business owners, and many volunteers who help organize it.
Major expenses include entertainment, sound system, site rental, and personnel fees paid to the Orange County Fair and Event Center , advertising , site setup including tents, chairs, site décor, printing, storage, and insurance. You get the picture. You can always check Mehregan financials for the past 3 years at NIPOC’s website (www.nipoc.org). As a 501 (C) (3) non profit organization, NIPOC’s financials, including our IRS Tax Returns, are available to the public. All you have to do is ask.
I am proud to say that the event is getting better and better each year. Those are not my words; I have been hearing it from all sorts of folks both in and out of Orange County.
So what is it all about and why do so many people put so many hours into this festival? The best way to summarize it is to say that there is this new generation of professionals in Orange County who are coming forward and saying I am proud to be Iranian and I am proud to be American. If you attended the event, I am sure you will agree that Orange County Mehregan as the largest cultural event outside of Iran that makes you feel proud to be in America with such a rich cultural heritage. After all, Mehregan is a celebration of nature and light; it commemorates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. More power to the minds and elbows of the great team of volunteers who put it all together. Till October, may Mehr (the goddess of Love, Knowledge, and Commitment) be with you. Visit www.nipoc.org for details.
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